When I inherited my parent’s old typewriter, the first thing I did was write a  terrible mystery story. I think it was 40 pages long and I even did a pencil cover illustration. I remember something about a car, an old house, and ghosts. There wasn’t much I could draw on from 12 years worth of personal experience.

All of it has since been lost to the dusty summer days of my childhood, but the important part was remembering how satisfied I was being able to take all the stories, characters, and ideas from inside my head and put them to paper.

I am proud of my younger-self. I was doing something that every writer is told. Write and write a lot. I had spiral bound notebooks and at least a dozen floppy disks with stories, poetry and whatever else I wanted to pound out on my keyboard. I enjoyed the simple act of writing; creating a world that was a reflection of what I saw.

At the end of the day, it’s not so much having a physical product, but having the satisfaction that you are building your writing muscles. Perhaps there will be a piece that will be worthy to share or to even be published, or this is a strictly cathartic personal exercise for you. It doesn’t matter. There is room for people to write for writing sake. What is the worst that can happen? Become a penniless writer living in some efficiently closet in New York, right?

What helped me to grow up from the shy 6th grade girl to the person who sits in front of my computer writing today can be reduced down to 5 elements: Voice, Authenticity, Word Choice, Clarity, and Succinctness.

1: Voice

And I am not talking about the thing you hear when someone opens their mouth. Voice is what a reader hears when they are reading your work, or what is termed as narrative. Find your voice and refine it. This includes word choices, your tone, and ultimately the themes you use in your work.

2: Authenticity

Does your voice match your subject? Does it make sense to the reader? They will know when you are B-Sing (more importantly if you are not self-publishing, your agent or publisher will). You should be aware of how candid or not you are in your work.

3: Word Choice

This goes for both the body of the piece as well as the title. I was once called on for using the word “proceed” too much. The piece was reading more like a police report than a fictional description. Opps! If I ever learned anything from working in journalism, the most important part of your article is the title. Don’t think for a moment you can give a hook about Hot Beach Babes and then talk about circuit systems. Sorry, try again. However, you can say Some Like it Hot and talk about the rising trend of sauna use. With the right combination of words, people will be more likely to read your stuff.

4: Clarity

There is a difference between writing for writing sake and writing to share a specific message. Make sure the ideas are clear and easy to follow. You don’t leave the reader scratching their head trying to parse out what they just read. I am not talking about the essay formula you learned in school, but how to create flow from one idea to another. Think of it as being a guide in a museum or city. You are leading the reader to what you want them to see and understand. The only questions you want them asking is why you chose your subject, not what you are trying to saying.

5: Succinctness

I touched on this in clarity, because in the end, in order to have succinctness, you need to be clear in your intent. If it takes you two sentences to describe your message, then keep it at two sentences. This takes practice and keeping in mind your purpose of the piece. Make your length appropriate to your subject and your audience. Again, people can tell when you are padding your work or dwell too long on any particular detail.

Bonus Round!

6: Audience

Know who your audience is. Writing a YA novel?  Want to offer advice? Open up a discussion about poignant topics of modern life? Know who the people you want reading your piece and write accordingly. Writing a dense technical paper about nano-particles is not going to fly for most 12 year kids and neither is a picture book about a cute field mouse being appropriate for political discussion (though I suppose if the book is about the environment or is a metaphor– but we are going to assume is about Harry Mouse and his friend Grey Pigeon and them needing to protect their home from Omnipotent Owl…). If this means researching published works, talking to successfully published authors, and even talking to the people for whom you are writing for, do it. It will help maintain your authenticity in the eyes of the reader and your peers.

Writing is just as much about the process as it is reaching the last page, or having the printed book, or the successful blog. It is a journey in which you can learn about yourself, where you want to go, and ultimately where you want to take your audience. Whether it is to a dusty old house with ghosts or an inner personal journey, that is up to you. All you have do is write it.

Sakuracon will be officially open it’s doors on Friday at 10 am. I will be in small press pedaling my wears. I will not only premiering a few new illustrations, but a new line of jewelry. I have only a few necklaces, but I will have a wide variety of earrings starting at $15.

You can also find a generous selection of both framed and matted work at the Artshow. They open at noon on Friday.

And if that wasn’t enough, I am also noting that I have a panel in the Norwescon Art Show with selected, limited edition prints for sale.

This should an awesome show and I am excited to return. Now I am off to finish sorting and packing.

My table location in the back near the bathrooms.

Yup, I am excited to say that I will be returning for my third year. They have since expanded the show floor and this year it is a massive city of exhibitors and artists, so it is important your bring provisions and a map.

I will be premiering a pile of new pieces! At least three posters and I will have blank cards available for sale along with an expanded selection of magnets.

I am not sure if I will be able to take at con sketches(depends if there are extra hands on deck and the complexity of the piece), but I am still open for commissions and long term projects. If you have a project and you need my skills, come chat with me and we will what can be done.

Floor hours

Friday         1:45  to 8:00PM

Saturday   9:45 AM to 7:00PM

Sunday     10:00AM to 6:00PM

 Monsters and Dames Art Auction
I will have a special, one of a kind, mixed media painting of  “The Chase” available for bidding to help raise money for the Seattle Children’s hospital.

Splendorporium
For all of you who will still be in the Portland area Friday night, I am the cover artist for the Myths, Marvels, and Magic Exhibit and the opening reception will be taking place at 7:3opm.  www.splendorporium.org

For those missed out getting your copy of my award winning illustration at Orycon this year, I will have limited copies on had this weekend and a framed reproduction is for sale at the gallery.

Splendorcraft at Splendorporium Gallery
3421 SE 21st, Portland

http://www.splendorporium.net/events.html

Friday, November 30
3-9pm
Saturday, December 1
12-9pm

Geek the Halls
Jupiter Hotel, Portland
Sunday, December 2
10 am-4 pm

Arabian Nights Open reception
Splendorporium, Portland
7-9 pm
http://www.splendorporium.net/

Orycon Art Show will be open to the public starting Friday afternoon through Saturday with a Sunday auction and art pickup. I have a mixtures of framed prints and originals up on the boards and a choice selection of prints in the print shop.

Orycon34 Artshow
DoubleTree Exhibitor’s Hall
Friday, November 2-Sunday November 4
1pm-6pm Friday, 10am-8pm Saturday
http://34.orycon.org/orycon-art-show/

To celebrate the recently opened art exhibit, The Body Beautiful, at the Portland Art Museum I want to offer a very special deal. All my ancient art style and themed work will be available at a discount of 20% from October 11, 2012 through December 31,2012. Use the following code upon check out at my Etsy shop:

GREEKARTLOVE20

Etsy shop
www.dancingheron.etsy.com

You must include a minimum of (1) piece of ancient/greek style art with your order. This included all Homage section pieces that feature greeky characters in the greek art style as well as mythological creatures and beings in The Ancient section.

Coupon code can also be applied to all custom orders and commissions when purchased through my Etsy shop.

"Eternal Lovers" Mix media painting available at the Tarot Show. Ancient Egyptian interpretation of the Lovers Card in the Major Arcana.

I will be attending the opening reception this Friday, October 5. Drop by and check out all the amazing artists who are showing their work. The exhibit will be open from October 5-26.

Learn more by visiting Splendorporium’s website for this event and future ones.

http://www.splendorporium.net/

Joking aside, I will have a table in the alley in the art show with lots of goodies for all the good little boys and girls. And in the spirit of tradition, the Daily Raffle is returning! I already have a start of a pile of goods: book packs, posters, prints and even a custom lantern. Check the AA for times and get your ticket in.

Due a snaffu with Create space printing, 6 copies of Arkham Bakery have a slight cosmetic error on the cover.  I am offering a discounted price on these copies over the weekend. Normally $20, you can pick up your copy for $15.

You will also be able to grab a copy of Adonis and Heavenly Bodies here as well.

Phew, I have a lot to prep and I look forward to seeing all your shining faces at the convention. The Arists Alley will be featuring 30+ artists providing goods from 2-d print art, commissions, crafts, plushies and even goods to fill your steam punk needs.

Exhibitor Hall Hours

Sat 9-6pm
Sun 9-5pm

Location: 3rd floor, Rm 304-305 at the Conference Center, Downtown Seattle

We open at noon on Friday with live music on Friday and Saturday evening.
This will be a good chance to come check out all the new artwork and to chat with me about whatever has been on your mind. I will also be taking commissions if there has been a project you have had in mind.

http://www.facebook.com/ArtSplashArtShowAndSale

Tualatin Commons

8325 SW Nyberg St. Tualatin

Fri 12-9pm
Sat 10am-9pm
Sun 10am-4pm